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Alisher Nazirov (Master Ceramist from Rishtan)

Alisher Nazirov is one of Uzbekistan’s most famous ceramists. He works from his studio-cum-workshop in Rishtan, a small town in the verdant Fergana valley, which is virtually an open air museum and visited by ceramic lovers from the world over.

Alisher Nazirov

Born in 1958, Alisher began working with ceramics at the tender age of 12, under the tutelage of several ustos or master craftsmen. He learnt to extract the secret ishkor glaze and supplemented his understanding with studies of archaeological finds. It has been his endeavour to restore traditional forms and patterns of Rishtan ceramics while giving free hand to innovation, the hallmark of creativity.

Rishtan Pine Cone Platter

Today, Alisher has a well-recognised style, compositionally rich yet elegant and harmonious. His painting is inspired by direct observations from nature, and this is amply showcased in his designs which depict flowers, branches, trees and pitchers, among other things. His skillful compositions beautifully emphasize the shape of the objects he creates. His signature products are never repeated, thus creating items unique in design and motif.

Alisher has participated in many exhibitions of decorative-applied arts, including Tashkent, Almaty, Bishkek, Moscow, and Munich. He has also developed strong ties with Japanese ceramists and art critics. In 1994 he trained in Japan, in the workshop of famous ceramist Isokichi Asakura, a master of the Kutani School. Alisher’s creations are represented in various museum collections worldwide, including the State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan, the State Museum of Oriental Nations’ Art in Moscow, the Museum of Ethnography in Saint Petersburg and the Museum of Ceramics of Asakura-san in Komatsu (Japan).